In-office teeth whitening is a professional whitening procedure performed in a dental office. It can make teeth five to seven shades brighter in a single visit. Dentists use professional-grade bleaching or whitening agents and advanced techniques to achieve the patient’s desired shade safely and effectively.

Professional whitening treatments can dramatically improve the appearance of teeth that have become stained or discolored due to food, beverages, tobacco use, aging, or dental injury.

Advantages of In-Office Teeth Whitening

While over-the-counter whitening kits can be more affordable, in-office teeth whitening performed by a dental professional offers several key advantages. Professional whitening treatments provide:

• Expert supervision – Treatments are monitored by a dentist to ensure safety and minimize enamel or gum irritation.
• Faster results – In-office whitening delivers noticeably whiter teeth after just one visit.
• Longer-lasting brightness – Professional-grade whitening agents produce deeper, more durable results than take-home products.
• Reduced tooth sensitivity – Dentists use protective techniques and desensitizing agents to minimize discomfort during and after treatment.

While at-home kits can help maintain results, professional whitening remains the safest and most effective way to achieve a brighter, more radiant smile.

In-Office Teeth Whitening Procedures

Types of dental-office whitening procedures may include:

Professionally Applied Tooth Whitening Products

These products are applied at a dentist’s office, and have a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide, a whitening agent.

Laser or Light Treatment

Whitening solution is applied to the teeth and used in combination with a special light or laser. Results can usually be seen after one session.

Custom Mouth Tray

A custom mouthpiece or tray is created by the dentist, and a peroxide-based whitening solution is given to the patient to use at home with the mouthpiece or tray.

In-office teeth whitening comprises a series of one-hour appointments at a dentist’s office. Teeth will be examined and cleaned to make sure there are no cavities, loose fillings, gum problems or other issues that may be exacerbated by the bleaching process. A patient who chooses to use whitening products in combination with at-home treatment may be monitored by the dentist for results.

Whitening procedures are effective but their results are not permanent. Depending on the procedure used, whitening may fade over time. Patients are advised to avoid problem food and drinks that may stain or darken the teeth.

Additional Resources

MedlinePlus
National Institutes of Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
WebMD